Taylor Chan ’21 is passionate about improving the health care system in the United States, which prompted the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy student to apply for a rotation at the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology. She is looking forward to discovering different ways pharmacists can be involved in both patient care and government.

The FDA White Oak Campus is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., and the rotation will run from mid-February to late March. The Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology monitors the drug safety profiles of products that have been made available to American consumers. They follow the pharmaceutical sales, safety profiles and other drug-related epidemiological studies in conjunction with drug companies.

“The rigor and intensity of the coursework and extracurricular programs I have experienced at Pacific have prepared me for any challenge I will face at the FDA,” said Chan.

She is looking forward to meeting students and pharmacists from all over the U.S.

“We come from many different backgrounds and communities that we serve; it will be interesting to see how our experiences will join together to work for the benefit of all,” she said. Her advice for students who are interested in pursuing a competitive or unique rotation placement is to work hard and be bold.

Growing up, some of her family’s most trusted friends were pharmacists. She set her sights on a career in pharmacy in high school because of her love of science and working with people.

“Since coming to Pacific, I have been more exposed to the field and my perception of the profession has changed; I have found even more reasons why a career in pharmacy is right for me,” she said.

She was initially drawn to University of the Pacific because of the accelerated Pre-Pharmacy Advantage Program. She shared that Pacific’s small campus environment has been ideal for her growth.

“The past few years I’ve spent at Pacific have been some of the best of my life thus far,” Chan said. “I have been challenged beyond belief, met some of my best friends and found great mentors.”

Chan serves on the 2019-2020 American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) cabinet as vice president of correspondence. She serves as project manager for the Operation Diabetes Committee and the Children’s Awareness Committee. Chan is a member of the Phi Delta Chi, Alpha Psi chapter. She also represents the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy as an Associated Students of the University of the Pacific (ASuop) senator.